Friends stick together

Emma's point of view

I ran to the water. I dove into it. Ten seconds later I saw my orange tail. I waited until my parents and brother saw me. They stared in shock. I could see Annie, my friend looking at them. She knew that this was hard for me. I had told her everything after I found out she was a mermaid. I'd remember that day forever.

I was just walking when these two guys came up to me. They seemed nice and then they started making fun of this girl as she walked toward my house. I just walked away from them and went up to the girl. Later on after we talked she told me why those guys always made fun of her. She had told one of their best friends the truth about her mermaidness. They all thought that she was a liar and called her pathetic. After she told me her story I told her mine about how Cleo, Rikki, and I met and how we became mermaids.

The last few months with her were great. We always went to the island that was close to where we lived. We hung out and protected each other from the full moon's light. We had a lot of fun. In a way she was a combination of Rikki and Cleo. She reminded me that being a mermaid wasn't all that bad. When I saw her face after I dove into the water I could see that she was happy for me.

I swam as fast as I could, and for me that was fast. I finally surfaced after swimming for 15 minutes, about 10 miles or so from where I dove in. I knew it'd take me a few hours to get to where I wanted to be, Mako Island. I hoped that's where I'd find Cleo. When I surfaced I felt as though someone was following me. I swam for about five more minutes and then turned around. I could see something following me. From where I was I could tell it wasn't something human following me. Then I recognized her. Annie followed me all this way. I knew I'd have to wait until we got to dry land for her to tell me why.

We made it to a small island that looked similar to Mako. We lifted ourselves out of the water and waited for our tails to disappear.

"Annie, why did you follow me? You know what the consequences you could face." I pointed out. Unlike my parents and sibling, Annie's cousin knew she was a mermaid. Annie only confided in her because she had to. Her cousin was the only one that would ever talk to Annie. I didn't know why and I didn't care. All I knew was that Annie was a true friend. And true friends stick together.

"I had to Emma. You know that. You're parents will tell my aunt and uncle and then things will click. If I didn't leave then they'd probably send me to some random scientist to see how they can fix me. You know as well as I do that I already don't fit in." She looked at me. I knew what she was saying was true as much as she did.

"Alright you can come with me. We're going to Mako Island." I say happily.

"In Australia. By the Gold Coast? Finally I get to see it." I wasn't all that surprised at Annie because she always seemed happier when I told her about my adventures with my friends. I sometimes thought she wanted to go to the Gold Coast more than I did.

We swam until we finally reached the mainland. I knew that my parents would call someone in Australia to see if I was there but I didn't care. I was really exhausted but I knew that there would only be one person who could help Annie and I. I knew it was a bad idea but I didn't care. I had to do it.

I knocked on the door Annie standing behind me. She looked a bit afraid. I never told her where we were going. I just had to see if he could help. I had to. He was one of the few people that could. The door opened slowly.

"Emma, what are you doing here. You know this is one of the most dangerous places someone like you could be right now." Zane stared into my eyes. He could tell that I knew that already and that I was okay with risking it.

"Can I come in?" I asked. He nodded slowly as he moved aside and let Annie and I in.

"Okay, what do you want? You know coming here is by far the stupidest thing I've seen you do and considering I've known you since we were three…" He couldn't continue we heard another knock at the door. Zane motioned me to hide. I looked at Annie who just stood there. I hid. I knew that Annie had nothing to fear because no one here knew who she was. I hoped Zane had an alibi for her in case someone asked who she was.

Zane opened the door and I could just tell because of the awkward silence that someone that could cause trouble was at the door. I wanted to come out and see who It was but I knew that would be yet another mistake I'd make.

"Would you like to come in Kim?" Zane said in a sort of nice way. I nearly came out from my hiding spot. I hadn't seen Kim in forever.

"Yeah, I'll only be here a minute Zane. I have a question I'd like to ask you." Kim says before she sees Annie. From where I'm hiding I can see her. She's changed so much since I last saw her almost a year ago. "Who's your new friend?" She asks.

"Hi, my name's Annie. I'm just visiting for a few days." Annie says giving a perfect reason that is partially true. I'm happy she came up with something. I figured Zane wouldn't be that creative. Annie's excuse was perfect, vague and yet specific.

"Nice to meet you. If you don't mind Annie I'd like to ask Zane something in private." Kim said as Annie went in the other room. I honestly wished I could follow her but I knew that it wasn't a good idea to move. As soon as Annie was out of the room I saw Kim give Zane the evil eye.

"Look Zane, I know you know where my sister is. I know the truth and I just want to know where she is. I know she's in danger but I want to help her. She needs it. I know you know how to get in touch with Emma too. I need to talk to her as well." Kim says. I know I'm being stupid but I come out of my hiding spot.

"Hey Kim." I say with a smile. She just stares at me as if I'm crazy.

"Hey Emma. Do you know where my sister is? I need to find her. She's gone. I'm afraid something happened to her." I walk over to Kim. She's crying and looks like she needs a hug so I give her one. She looks up at me thankful.

"I'm sorry Kim, I don't know where she is. I came here as soon as I could. My parents know. Annie knows too. She came with me. Now answer me this. Did she say anything to you before she left?" I ask quickly. I knew staying in one place too long would be a bad idea.

"She said something about Mako, but I went looking there. She's nowhere. No one knows where she is." Kim starts crying again.

"Don't worry Kim. I'll find her. First, I need to talk to Rikki. I know what happened at the club. I need to know the truth from her. Where is she?" I look toward Zane. He has a secretive smile on his face.

"I know where she is, but you won't like it." He tells me. I don't care. I need to find her and talk to her as soon as I can.

"Tell me where she is. I need to know." I say strongly. I have to go get her. I just have to.

"I don't know. I do; however know someone that will know. You won't like who it is though." Zane says. I smile. I won't care and he knows that.

"Denman will know where Rikki is being taken. Now, about Cleo. I think the last time she talked to me was before the thing with Rikki happened. After you left things weren't the same. WE all drifted apart. We did; however, come together at one point on a full moon where Lewis and I found the girls at Mako in the moon pool. They told us later that they had a vision of the future saying that trouble would happen. Cleo and Rikki told us they'd go to either the moon pool or meet up at each of their favorite foreign places. I have no idea what they were talking about. That's all I know." Zane said. I looked at him. I could tell he was telling the truth. As much as I didn't want to believe him I knew he was serious.

"Any recommendations to where I should go first? I think finding Cleo first would be a good idea." I smiled knowing what I said was true. Annie finally came back into the living room obviously listening to what we were saying.

"Cleo always said she wanted to visit the Eifel Tower. We could start there." Kim says I look at her. I could tell she wanted to come but I knew it was too risky.

"There is no we. Kim you have to stay here. I'm sorry but you must. Annie and I will go. We'll find her don't worry." I say as confidently as I can.

"I'm coming too. I don't care what you have to argue I'm coming." She was confident and still the same Kim I remember. I contemplated what could happen if she came. I decided she could help us somehow. I finally nodded. She nearly started crying with excitement.

"Alright, we leave for Paris tomorrow. Annie and I are exhausted, not to mention hungry. Come over tomorrow morning Kim. Don't let anyone see you though." I say. I really was exhausted and I wanted to rest.

"Wait a second. Can't we just try to call Cleo?" Zane asked knowing as well as I did that going to Paris wasn't the best idea that we could think off.

"I already tried that. She won't pick up." Kim says annoyed. I can tell she really wants to find her sister.

"Let me call her on my phone." I say as I grab my phone. Zane looks at me worried something will happen. I ignore him as I usually do and I call her number. I expected her not to pick up but she does.

"Emma, is that you?" Cleo said in a hesitant voice.

"Yeah it's me. Are you okay Cleo? You have to come back. Where are you?" I ask I knew that asking to many questions at one time would be stupid but I had to I need to find her.

"I'm alright. I can't come back. They know who I am. I'm guessing they know who you are too. I'm somewhere secret. Only you and Rikki know where I am." Then she hung up. I nearly started crying. There was only one place she could be. I knew what I had to do.

"I'm going to Mako. Don't try to stop me Zane," I say as he moves closer to the door. "I'm going to get her. Kim, you stay here with Zane. Annie and I will go." I say opening the door.

Annie and I run to the ocean. We dive in, ten seconds later our tails appear and then we're off to Mako. This is going to be very interesting. I really hoped that we weren't walking into a trap. Oh well, I just need to find Cleo and get Rikki. WE all just need to run away and get out of here.